Garmin Fenix 7 users struggle with HRM connectivity after latest update
Garmin’s latest software update for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro was supposed to be a long-awaited improvement, but instead, it’s left many users frustrated. The update, version 20.16, has introduced a bug that stops external heart rate monitors from automatically connecting, forcing users to manually pair them before every workout.
This is the first major stable update in months, and alongside it, Garmin expanded ECG support for Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro users in the UK and Europe. While that’s good news, it’s been overshadowed by the HRM issue, which affects a wide range of Garmin accessories, including HRM Pro Plus, HRM Dual, power meters, cadence sensors, and even some eBike sensors.
The problem is simple but annoying. Normally, when a user starts an activity, their external HRM should connect automatically. With this update, that isn’t happening. Instead, users have to go into the watch’s sensor menu and manually select the device. It might not sound like a huge deal, but for anyone who trains regularly, having to do this before every session gets old fast. Some have even reported waiting for minutes to see if the watch picks up the HRM on its own, only to give up and do it manually.
Garmin is aware of the issue and has already pushed out a beta update, version 20.19, but it hasn’t really fixed the problem. The company says they are still investigating, but that hasn’t stopped users from complaining about Garmin’s software quality. Many feel that the brand has been dropping the ball with firmware updates, with new releases often introducing major bugs. Some are even wondering if Garmin has outsourced its software development, leading to a drop in quality.
Beyond the HRM issue, some users are also experiencing connection drops between their Fenix 7 and iPhones. A few have found workarounds, like switching their HRM from ANT+ to BLE, but that’s not a perfect solution. Others have decided to roll back to version 19.41 to avoid the hassle altogether.
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Garmin has started asking users for device data to help track down the cause of the issue. They’ve requested XML files from affected watches, sports activity logs, and reports on which apps or data fields might be interfering. While it’s good to see them gathering information, users would probably prefer a quick fix over having to send in files and wait.
For now, the only real solutions are switching to BLE, manually connecting sensors, or rolling back to an older version. None of those are ideal, and until Garmin sorts it out, Fenix 7 and 7 Pro users will have to deal with the inconvenience. It’s not the first time a Garmin update has caused problems, and judging by past experience, it probably won’t be the last.
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